A wild elephant from a herd of 16 found itself in a precarious situation as it accidentally fell into a deep dry well while rampaging in a paddy field in a village under Nimdih block, Chandil sub-division, Seraikela-Kharsawan district, late on Wednesday night.

The incident unfolded around 10:00 pm when a team of elephant drivers was attempting to drive away the herd from the paddy field and the village. In an unfortunate turn of events, one of the elephants stumbled into the dry well. The mishap was immediately noticed by a vigilant villager who promptly informed the concerned forester.

The forester, along with forest guards, arrived at the scene around 2:00 am today to commence the rescue operation. Initial attempts using conventional methods proved challenging due to the well's depth. In response, two excavators have been pressed into service to dig a deep trench connecting to the well's bottom, facilitating the trapped elephant's safe exit.

This incident occurs during the migration season for tuskers, where herds move between Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand. The Chandil forest range, presently hosting multiple herds near the Bengal border, witnesses challenges as elephants sometimes stray into human habitats during migration, causing damage to houses and crops.

As of the latest update, the rescue operation is ongoing, emphasizing the collaborative efforts of forest department officials to ensure the safe extraction of the trapped elephant from the deep well. Further updates on the progress of the rescue will be provided as the situation unfolds.

Commenting on the situation, the forester mentioned, "Our focus is on a safe and humane rescue. We're utilizing all available resources to ensure the well-being of the elephant." Further updates on the rescue progress will be communicated as the situation unfolds, with a shared commitment to the welfare of wildlife in the region.